The fastest way to watch football on Firestick

To watch a football game on your Firestick, open the app for the network or service broadcasting the game—ESPN, NFL+, your cable provider's app, or a streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu Live—then navigate to the game and select it to play. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know which app has the broadcast.

The real question is which app to use, because that depends on which game you want to watch and what you already pay for. The NFL plays games across five different broadcasters each week, and each one requires a different app or subscription. This section walks you through finding the right one.

Key Takeaways

  • NFL games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video on different days and times, so you need to know which network has the game you want before you open an app.
  • If you have a cable subscription, your cable provider's app (Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, etc.) will stream most games for free if you log in with your account.
  • YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and Sling TV all include the networks that broadcast football and cost between $40 and $80 per month.
  • Amazon Prime Video includes Thursday Night Football for free if you have a Prime membership, and the NFL+ app streams some games but has blackout restrictions.
  • Once you install the app and log in, finding the game takes two or three taps—look for a Sports section or search for the team name.

Finding which network broadcasts your game

Before you open any app, find out which channel is showing the game. The easiest way is to search "NFL schedule" on Google or visit NFL.com and look at the week's games. Each game listing shows the network: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime Video. Write down the network name—you will need it to pick the right app.

You can also check your Firestick's built-in search. Press the microphone button on your remote and say the team name and "game" (for example, "Cowboys game"). Firestick will show you where the game is available and which apps have it. This is often the fastest route because Firestick already knows what you have installed.

Using your cable provider's app

If you pay for cable or satellite TV (Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish Network, or another provider), their app is usually the easiest option. read your provider's app from the Firestick app store, open it, and log in with your cable account username and password. Once you are logged in, the app will show you live TV channels, including the one broadcasting the game.

Navigate to the channel showing the game (CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN) and select it. The stream should start within a few seconds. This method works as long as your cable plan includes live TV—if you have internet-only service, this route will not work.

The app may ask you to authenticate every 30 days or after you restart your Firestick. This is normal. Just log in again with your cable username and password, and you will be back to watching within a minute.

Streaming services that include football broadcasts

If you do not have cable, or if your cable provider's app is not working, a live TV streaming service is the next option. Three services carry the networks that broadcast NFL games:

  • YouTube TV costs about $73 per month and includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. It also includes cloud DVR, so you can record games to watch later.
  • Hulu Live costs about $77 per month and includes the same four networks plus ESPN+, which streams some exclusive games.
  • Sling TV costs about $40 per month for the base package, but you need to add the Sports Extra package (about $11 more) to get ESPN. It includes Fox and NBC in most areas.

read the app for whichever service you choose from the Firestick app store. Open it, create an account or log in, and follow the setup steps. Once you are set up, you can search for the game or browse to the channel showing it. All three services offer free trials—usually seven days—so you can test one before paying.

Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football

Amazon Prime Video streams Thursday Night Football for free if you have an Amazon Prime membership (which costs $15 per month or $139 per year and includes free shipping and other benefits). You do not need a separate sports subscription.

Open the Prime Video app on your Firestick, search for "Thursday Night Football" or the team name, and select the game. The stream will start when ready. This only works for Thursday games during the NFL season—other games are on different networks.

If you do not have a Prime membership, you can start a free 30-day trial through the Prime Video app to watch Thursday games for free during that period.

Using the NFL+ app for some games

The NFL+ app lets you stream some games, but it has limits. You can watch out-of-market games (games not being broadcast in your area) and some exclusive content, but you cannot watch games that are being shown on local TV in your region. This is called a blackout restriction, and it exists because the NFL sells local broadcast rights to TV networks.

read the NFL+ app from the Firestick app store and create an account. A basic subscription costs about $7 per month or $80 per year. Once you log in, search for the game you want. If it is available, you will see a play button. If you see a message saying the game is blacked out in your area, you will need to use one of the other methods above.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the stream will not start, first check your internet connection. Press the Home button on your Firestick remote, go to Settings, then Network, and select your Wi-Fi network. If you are connected but the stream is slow or keeps stopping, try restarting your Firestick. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (about 30 seconds).

If the app says you are not logged in, log out completely and log back in. Go to the app's settings menu, find the logout or sign out option, select it, and then open the app again and enter your username and password. This usually fixes authentication errors.

If you see a message that the game is not available in your region, you are hitting a blackout restriction. This means you need to use a different app—usually your cable provider's app or a live TV streaming service. Blackout rules vary by game and region, so there is no single workaround.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch football on Firestick without paying for anything?

Yes, if you have cable TV or a Prime membership. Cable provider apps are free to use if you already pay for cable. Amazon Prime Video includes Thursday Night Football for free with a Prime membership. For other games, you would need to pay for a streaming service or the NFL+ app.

Why does my stream keep buffering during the game?

Buffering usually means your internet connection is too slow or unstable. Move your Firestick closer to your Wi-Fi router, or connect it with an Ethernet adapter if possible. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If buffering continues, contact your internet provider to check your connection speed.

Do I need a different app for each network?

Yes. CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN each have their own apps. If you want to watch games on multiple networks, you need either a cable provider app (which includes all of them) or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu Live (which also includes all of them). The NFL+ app only works for certain games.

Can I use a VPN to watch blacked-out games?

VPNs are not recommended for this. Streaming services and the NFL actively block VPN connections, so it usually will not work. Using a VPN to bypass blackout restrictions also violates the terms of service for most streaming apps.

What if I want to watch a game that is not on any of the apps I have?

Check which network is broadcasting the game, then read that network's app or sign up for a streaming service that includes it. YouTube TV and Hulu Live include all the major networks, so either one would let you watch any regular-season game.